Alright, friends, let’s talk about fear.
That jittery, unsettling, heart-pounding feeling we all know so well.
It creeps in, right?
Whispers doubts in your ear, paints worst-case scenarios on the walls of your mind.
You’re not alone. We’ve all been there. And honestly?
It’s part of the human experience. But… (and this is a big but) …it doesn’t have to define us.
I was hanging out in Psalm 27 the other day (you know, just your average Tuesday at the hospital – fear, like a hangover still settled in my hear as I waited for my son to get released from surgery), and it hit me. This ancient song, this raw cry of the heart, it’s still relevant.
Thousands of years old, and it still speaks to that primal fear we wrestle with.
And it offers something too, something powerful. Hope.
The Psalmist starts out strong, right? “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). Boom. Mic drop. It’s like they’re saying, “Okay, fear, I see you. I acknowledge you. But you don’t get the final word here.” It’s refreshing to read. It’s equally relieving to read these words out loud and hearing yourself say them – articulate them, and have them settle into that space that fear is residing.
Think about some of these words from Psalm 27:1 that for a second.
Light. Salvation. Stronghold.
These aren’t just buzzwords. They’re images, pictures of something bigger than our anxieties, something stronger than our doubts. When we feel lost in the dark, God is the light. When we feel trapped, God is the way out. When we feel vulnerable, God is our protection. When we are waiting in spaces where we feel powerless – the one who made all of these spaces, the Author of the universe is there in all of His power and glory – right beside us.
Now, does this mean fear vanishes instantly? Nope.
The Psalm goes on to talk about armies and enemies and all sorts of scary stuff.
Life throws curveballs, doesn’t it? Things happen that shake us to our core. But even in the midst of that, the Psalmist declares, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:3).
That’s not some naive, Pollyanna optimism. That’s a deep-rooted trust. A knowing that even when things fall apart, there’s a foundation that can’t be shaken. A love that won’t let us go.
And then comes this beautiful, vulnerable plea: “One thing I ask of the Lord, that this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4).
For me, this isn’t about a literal building. It’s about presence. It’s about cultivating that awareness of God’s nearness, that sense of belonging. It’s about choosing to focus on the good, on the beautiful, on the divine spark within ourselves and within the world around us. God’s presence can’t be contained in one place – His temple is built in flesh and bone – in you and me. His presence is here and also in the furthest regions of unexplored space trillions of miles away. It blows my mind to even contemplate, yet I know it to be true. God’s presence – here with us – it’s beautiful.
So, what about you? What’s that “one thing” you’re asking for? What brings you closer to that sense of peace, that connection to the source of all love and light? Maybe it’s spending time in nature. Maybe it’s creating art. Maybe it’s connecting with friends. Maybe it’s just taking a few deep breaths and remembering who you are.
Whatever it is, lean into it. Because here’s the truth: Fear is real. But so is hope. So is love. So is the unwavering presence of God, walking with us, always. And that, my friends, is something worth holding onto and sharing with a world paralyzed by fear. Go. Be brave. Embrace His presence, and light the darkness with hope today.
Grace and Peace,
-Pastor Scott.
Pastor's Ponderings 
Leave a comment